Like a Fly on the Wall

by Simone Kelly

  As time went by Vince gave us minute-by-minute updates. So far, no one knew exactly what had caused the power outage, nor did they have a sign of when it would be fixed. I thought about my mom, but I knew she was still at the spa, so I wasn’t too worried. I attempted to call, but I didn’t know her number or the spa number by heart. Ah, the downside of technology.

  Antonio was definitely sexy. He had a swagger about him that wasn’t quite New York but wasn’t quite Miami. He must have moved and come back, because he didn’t come across as 100 percent Floridian.

  I sat on the floor and watched him watching me. He took a swig of his gookie-looking drink.

  “So, where are you from?” I asked.

  “I’m from here. Right here in Miami. Liberty City, baby.”

  “But you didn’t live here all your life, did you? I can tell.”

  “Well, nah, I moved to Philly for about eight years, but came back to take care of some family business.”

  “I knew it! You got that . . . that . . .”

  He paced around me slowly. “That what?” he said, grinning.

  “That edge to you. I don’t know—a bit of city swagger with a twist of Southern.”

  “Oh yeah, you know that much about me already?” He licked his lips.

  I smiled at how sexy he was. “Well, it has been about . . . what?” I looked at the clock on the wall. “Ninety minutes or so. I’m very observant. I catch things.”

  “So . . . Ky, what are you doing here? You know . . . here!” He pointed to the ground. “Why you seeing Mr. Call Mi Now Cleo. You seem like you got it all together. What are you here for?”

  I sighed. “The usual. I’m almost twenty-eight and still single, in serious debt, and no job. I want to figure out what I should do with the rest of my life.” I stretched out my legs. I couldn’t believe how relaxed I felt with him. “Well, that’s why I’m here. Just getting some inside scoop as to what the heck is next.”

  He wiped the perspiration from his forehead with a napkin. “Why not let life happen? Don’t you like surprises?”

  “No, Antonio, I don’t.” I laughed. “I’m impatient. Don’t you ever feel that way? Like you need to know now?”

  “Nah, because curiosity killed the cat, Ky.”

  I said, “Aren’t you the least bit curious about your life, your future?”

  “I’m trusting in God and it will all be good. Step out on faith. You gotta believe your ancestors got your back. We are all protected. Put your faith in God.”

  I fluffed up my ’fro, which was shrinking from the humidity. “You say to put faith in God. Why do you think there are people on this earth who have the gift to see the future? Don’t you think they have a purpose, to guide us? I believe God gave them the message for us. It’s what we do with the message that counts.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He wasn’t trying to debate me and I think it was getting too religious for him. Antonio looked at his watch. “It’s almost two hours this shit has been going on. Man, I hope my son is okay.”

  “So, are you a single dad?”

  “I have my son every other week.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a balled-up napkin.

  “Wow, that’s gotta be tough. I admire that. Not many good dads around these days.”

  “Just doing what a dad’s gotta do.”

  “Where’s his mom?”

  “Oh, she’s barely a mother to him. She’s in Coral Gables living with her new familiaaaa. You would think he was a stepchild.” Bitterness and sarcasm trailed his voice. “She got married three years ago when she got knocked up again by some Cuban cat.”

  “Oh, sorry to hear that. Where’s your girl?” I was hoping to catch him off guard.

  “What’s with the interrogation? You ain’t slick. This is my job, I do this.” He pointed to his chest with a prideful smirk. “I don’t have a girl. Why don’t you have a man?”

  “I never said I didn’t.” I was offended.

  “Oh, you got jokes.”

  “Nah, I’m single for now. So, tell me about your job.” I needed to shift the focus off relationships. “How is it? What are the highlights?”

  “Okay . . . catch your breath, Ky!” He chuckled. “I really love it. But it’s a job. Some days are so sloooow. I’m just in the car on Facebook or playing Words With Friends on my cell as I wait for someone to come out of an apartment. I don’t mind it though, since in this tiny-ass office,” he whispered, and smiled at Vince, who was still talking on the phone, “I can only take Vince in small doses.” He shook his head. “He’s like an Italian Shrek. He bites his nails down to the nub. He’ll burp, fart, talk loud on the phone like ain’t nobody in here with him.”

  I exploded with laughter. Vince shot us a look and held his ear.

  “Big heart, though, but maaaaan . . . he’s something else.” Antonio spoke even softer. “Let’s go out to talk by the stairs so we won’t make noise.”

  I followed behind him. As we left the office I said softly, “You had me at Italian Shrek.”

  He smiled at Vince and pointed to the hallway to let him know we’d be close.

  When Antonio opened the door to the staircase it was illuminated with emergency lights, so I figured it would be okay. I felt safe with him. I sat on the stairs and asked, “So, what’s been your favorite case so far?”

  “Well, we had a small-time insurance company as our client. They wanted to investigate this guy who claimed he had a slipped disk and walked with a cane. In one week alone I followed him to salsa class, Zumba, jogging, and having sex behind an LA Fitness after hours with a very young college girl.”

  “Dayummm, that’s crazy!”

  “Yeah, needless to say, he dropped his claim after we sent him all the photos. I mean alllll.”

  “Holy shit, that’s like blackmail.”

  “No, it’s called wake-the-fuck-up mail. He got the memo. I got a great photo of him getting it innnnn.” Antonio laughed.

  “You do sound like you enjoy your job!”

  “I do, I just need some more accounts.”

  “It’s slow?”

  “Nah, Vince is just trying to do it all.”

  “Damn, that’s hard.” I was startled by the door downstairs opening. Then we heard chatter at the bottom of the stairs. It was Jacques and he had more people with him.

  Chapter 17

  Jacques

  Tonight was starting to feel like an adventure, a bad reality show, and a big joke all at once. After flagging down Dee’s friend Storm, we stopped at the nearby store to pick up a few things. Outside was more like a party than the mayhem Vince was envisioning. People were sitting out on the curbs talking, barbecuing, and drinking.

  The three of us walked up the muggy staircase and heard talking and laughing at the top. As we got closer, we saw it was Antonio and Kylie sitting on the stairs illuminated by the emergency lights. Boy, my man Antonio was one smooth operator! And here I thought Dee would end up with him, since I’d just told her she’d meet a health-conscious guy into detoxing. I guess destiny had another plan.

  Dee looked a bit jealous, but brushed it off. “Hey, guys, this is my friend Storm. She’s been through a nightmare!”

  Storm waved and they pushed the staircase door open. Kylie followed behind us and sprang into action. “Oh my God, are you okay? Let’s get you some water!” She dashed to the kitchen to get her a bottle of water.

  Storm fanned her face. “Wow, it’s a sauna in here!” She held her back and eased herself down onto the stiff couch. The candlelight’s flicker let me see more of her. She was wearing a red sundress and although pretty huge and pregnant, she was a beautiful cocoa-brown woman.

  Storm seemed frazzled. “It’s crazy out there! No lights . . . the cops were barely out, people driving like maniacs! What’s going on? I heard someone in the street yell that it was a terrorist attack. Have you guys heard that? My poor husband must be worried sick.” She rambled without pausing and wiped her forehead with a tissue.

  Kylie
returned with Storm’s water bottle and Vince hushed the room with his hand, the other hand gripping the cordless phone.

  I put a plastic bag on the table and it made a loud bang that startled me. Everyone turned to see what goodies I had brought as I uncovered three pints of ice cream.

  “Well, we didn’t get much, but we lucked out with ice cream. The grocer was trying to get rid of it before it melted!”

  “Preggers! You want it?” Dee asked Storm. Storm didn’t look very sociable. Her jet-black hair was frizzed and pushed back. She’d really had a rough night and I could tell she was out of it. She had a very gentle and free-spirited soul, but being pregnant in a blackout seemed to be getting the best of her. I could see she was a good balance for Dee as a friend.

  “No thanks, ice cream makes me sick.” Storm rubbed her belly.

  “I thought you craaaaaaaved it.” Dee frowned.

  “Dee, that was the first trimester. Keep up.” She finally laughed.

  “Yeah, third trimester is just what, you being a mean bitch?” Dee teased.

  “Touché, Dee! Touché!” She smiled, although she didn’t seem like she was up for a play fight.

  Vince finally hung up with his wife. He rubbed his ear, which was probably scorching hot, since he seemed to talk endlessly. He would hang up and keep calling her back for more information. His face lit up when he saw the ice cream.

  “I’ll get some cups and spoons from the kitchen.” He was as excited as a little kid at a birthday party.

  Antonio screamed, “Ah man, come on, maaaan! No! It’s close quarters up in here with you and me, now we got what . . . six people up in here? You know ice cream and you don’t agree, dawg!” He pretended to wave an imaginary fart. We all snickered. I could imagine Vince turning red, but I couldn’t tell in the dark.

  “Whatever! This may be our last freakin’ meal! I’m gonna enjoy it!” Vince said.

  Antonio raised his hands and his voice. “Yes, please enjoy it, drama king. Our last meal!”

  Kylie walked over to him and said, “Vince, come on, let’s stay positive. There’s probably some huge computer glitch. Something electrical. Why don’t we all relax and get to know one another and make the most of this.” Feminine touch.

  “Well, Mr. Psychic, did you know this was gonna occur?” Vince asked. He waved his hands toward the moonlit room.

  I shook my head. “I’m gifted but I’m not God. I merely have a stronger insight than most.”

  I thought about Vicky. I turned to Antonio. “Your cell phone still working?”

  Chapter 18

  Kylie

  This was truly turning into a college dorm room. It was 12:40 A.M. Antonio was sitting on the edge of the desk calling his son. He was relieved because his friend with a weird name was there to check on him.

  “Thanks, Boogah, you my niggah! I owe you one, man,” Antonio said.

  I was falling in love with his mouth. His walk, his overall swaggability.

  “Ah, now I can relax!” He hung up the phone and wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve.

  By this time, everyone’s cell phone was either dead or had no signal. The office phones were our main lifelines connecting us with friends and family. It was a shame, because most of us didn’t know our loved ones’ numbers by heart or they had only cell phones, so even if we knew the numbers, their lines were busy.

  I rubbed my hands together and looked at Jacques. “I don’t know about you guys, but I want my reading. Just a snippet! Come on, Jacques. It will be fun.” I kneeled toward the desk and put a plastic cup on it. “Look, a tip jar. We can chip in!”

  “Ah nah, I’m good!” Antonio waved his hands frantically.

  Antonio got on the floor next to me and stretched out his long legs. I tapped one. “Jeez, what are you so scared of, Antonio? What, you don’t want your truth to be revealed?”

  “What truth?” He leaned in closer, about two inches away from my face. “What you see is what you get, baby.” He turned to Jacques and said, “I gots nothing to hide and no disrespect, my man, but I doubt you can read me.”

  Dee said, “Humph. He knows you better than you know yourself, trust me.”

  She got up and went down the long hallway to the bathroom with Storm. Storm led the way with the flashlight. “Don’t start without us, please!” Dee begged.

  Jacques shrugged his shoulders and gently laughed. “Hey, I didn’t say I was doing anything.”

  Antonio was against it, but he still seemed curious. He played with the plastic spoon in his mouth as he slowly sucked off the ice cream. He was very sensual, but was also trying to be funny by doing it on the sly when others weren’t looking.

  Now, I’m usually the seducer. I love flirting, but Antonio had an edge that was actually turning me on so much that I wasn’t even thinking about how melt-your-panties-off hot Jacques was.

  Chapter 19

  Jacques

  A nice warm breeze floated in the room. I was on the couch and Kylie was seated on the floor near me. She and Antonio seemed to be getting along well, talking low and laughing. I heard her say, “Just ask him!” She looked up at me and smiled.

  Suddenly intrigued, Antonio tilted his head back toward me. “So, how does this work?” He sprinkled imaginary fairy dust in the air. “Do you work with a special ghost or something? Call on little fairies that whisper things in your ear?”

  “Ah well, noooooo.” I paused, trying to ignore the urge to read him on the spot. I felt his sadness for losing his wife. His insecurity about Latin men—I am sure he thinks I’m Latin, or I remind him of a Latino. Also, I picked up his fear of not being good enough and felt he was extremely intuitive, whether he knew it or not.

  I took a deep breath and continued. “Ghosts are earthbound spirits. I mainly use spirit guides for help in my sessions. They are what some people call our guardian angels.” It was apparent Antonio was nervous but was trying desperately to stay in tough-guy mode. I decided to enlighten him.

  “Spirits guides have crossed over already; they are on a higher plane and are sent to help us, teach us. The sad part is, we rarely make the time and space to listen to them. When we do hear messages, we shrug them off as nonsense or imagination.”

  “Oh Gaaaawd, what is that?” Kylie shouted as she held her nose. We heard a spray in the back of the office and the room was enveloped in the smell of rotten eggs wrapped in lilac and vanilla air freshener.

  “See, man, I told you not to mess with the ice cream, Vince. Dayummm!” Antonio cracked the door open.

  Vince opened another window. “Whatever! Whatever. I’m human, whattaya want from me? Sorry!” Vince looked at me. “Hey, you ever see that guy John Howard? The guy from Long Island who talks to dead people?”

  I corrected him. “You mean, John Edward, the medium?”

  “Yeah! Yeah! My wife used to watch him all the time. She’s into that Long Island Medium show now. That’s some spooky shit, dude. You can do that, too?”

  “Well, actually we all can.”

  “Ah, come on. If I could, you think I’d be in this place? I’d be in Las Vegas raking it in, baby!” Vince tucked in his shirt over his protruding beer belly and laughed at his own joke.

  Dee opened the door.

  “What were y’all talking about?” Dee asked as she fluffed her hair in the middle to keep her funky Mohawk style.

  “Oh, just how we all can be intuitive, read minds, foresee the future, talk to people who have passed on.” I looked toward Antonio. “You see, there is nothing as magical about it as you think.”

  The room was quiet, aside from the sirens outside and the salsa music playing next door. Antonio shifted on the floor and leaned forward. “Okay, I’m gonna address the elephant in the room and just say it. Do you use your so-called powers to manipulate women during your readings?”

  “Manipulate?” Dee rolled her eyes.

  “Oh, come on, Antonio, really? Really?!” Kylie yelled.

  “Nah, all jokes aside,” Antonio be
gan, “you know, I’m not saying I don’t believe in this shit, it’s just dangerous when it’s in the wrong hands.”

  Dee rocked back and forth in a chair. “Oh, I can assure you, it’s in the right hands.” She sipped her bottled water and winked at me.

  Antonio waved his bottle. “Come on, your powers could manipulate people, plant little seeds in their heads. I’m not saying you ain’t good, but it’s possible that you can be too good. I don’t wanna mess with that shit.”

  “What? Is that what you would do, Antonio? Manipulate people? Seems like if that’s your assumption then you’re projecting it on me.”

  “Now, wait a minute, dawg!” Antonio raised his hand toward me.

  “Karma’s a bitch and she knows where you live, Antonio. Not good if you would do that!” Kylie responded.

  “Nah, nah. You got it all wrong, Ky!”

  I tried to help him clean it up. “Yes, you’re probably right. You would use it to help people, just like you do every day at work as a detective, when you get a hunch about a lead. When you get that feeling to check out a location or go back just one last time. What do you think you are using when you do that, dawg?” I said sarcastically.

  Antonio scratched his head, looking dumbfounded. “Well, you know I never really looked at it that way. And please don’t say ‘dawg’ again. It sounds weird with that accent.”

  “Ah!” Dee laughed. “Leave Jacques alone, anything he says sounds sexy.”

  “Ummm-hmmm,” all three ladies hummed unanimously. I smiled.

  “Merci, chères mesdames!” I turned back to Antonio. “So, seriously . . . about you. I think you started following your hunches more when you were what—seven, or was it eight? You found an old lady.” I closed my eyes and saw the movie before me. “It was an old lady in your building. She almost died. You heard a noise, maybe even a scream for help. They left her for dead at the bottom of the staircase. You saw it. You knew who did it. It was your first success story. You were her hero.”